On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. As always, this most American of holidays will be marked by parades, fireworks and backyard barbecues across the country.

(Source: census.gov)

We recently met John Elkington, author of “The Zeronauts: Breaking the Sustainability Barrier”. Elkington’s book explores ways in which corporations, citizens, cities and countries can tackle the civilizational challenges at the intersection between demography, consumerist lifestyles, natural resource availability and climate change.

We were impressed by the clarity of the message and by how the debate can easily be shifted from whether global warming is manmade to how can a particular creative class, “the Zeronauts”, drive us to a more sustainable and secure world. 

This book is meant to be a wake up call that encourages leaders to adopt the virtue of zero footprint as a management concept to help break the “sustainability barrier” by triggering a reimagining and a rethink that would lead the Zeronauts towards the discovery of leading processes and technologies.

KG

As Rio+20 quickly approaches, the Colbert Report shed some light on global warming. According to NOAA measurements, in May, the carbon cycle reached a new alarming ‘milestone’: CO2 levels reached 400 parts per million in Arctic sites. This increase is in contrast to global averages of 390 ppm last year, and 280 ppm preceding the Industrial Age in 1880. 

Colbert provides a satirical take on our latest benchmark by coining the skit: “Sink or Swim”. Here’s what Stephen Colbert had to say about it: “What does 400 parts per million mean? Air has two parts: the breathy one and the part that makes balloons go up.” 

Watch more of Colbert’s take on global warming below. 

This World Wildlife Fund eco ad by Saatchi & Saatchi, circa 2007, illustrates perfectly the correlation between saving paper and saving forests.

Big props to the Saatchi Copenhagen team: Simon Wooller, Cliff Kagawa Holm and Silas Jansson.

(Source: saatchi.dk)

A recent study led by Dr. James Fourqurean of Florida International University, proposed that seagrass could be the oceans’ best-kept secret to mitigating global climate change. The study, “Seagrass Ecosystems as Globally Significant Carbon Stocks,” suggests that  our coastal ecosystems can store equal or greater amounts of carbon than terrestrial ecosystems. Seagrass meadows can store up to twice as much carbon as the world’s forests. 

However, according to Dr. James Fourqurean, seagrass meadows are among the world’s most threatened ecosystems. These coastal systems are being lost at an alarming rate. Approximately 2 percent of coastal systems are removed or degraded annually, which is four times the annual estimates of tropical forest loss.

While much attention has been placed on protecting terrestrial ecosystems such as the REDD program - United Nations Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Deregulation, the coastal ecosystems have not garnered as much awareness. No programs exist to protect a resource that currently stores as much as 73 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide. Our oceans represent the largest active carbon sinks on Earth as they absorb over a quarter of the carbon dioxide emissions. This research highlights the need for restoration of coastal systems to enable mangroves, seagrasses and tidal salt marshes to be restored and to continue to keep centuries of carbon in the ocean floor. We look forward to the expert opinions on the development of effective carbon management at Rio+20 later this month.

Image: Biological and Physical Pumps of Carbon Dioxide

(Source: tradepal.com)

Historically, Geek Pride Day was declared on May 25, in observance of the 1977 movie release date of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, originally released as Star Wars, with close ties to BBC Radio broadcast, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. 

While Wikipedia provides a variety of definitions, the one chosen is as follows:

A geek is sometimes a person who has chosen concentration rather than conformity; one who passionately pursues skill (especially technical skill) and imagination, not mainstream social acceptance.  

(Source: tradepal.com)

On May 5th, we are invited to Connect the Dots between the rise in weather related catastrophes and climate change. This day serves as a ‘wake-up call’ for everyone to stand in solidarity with the communities in the front lines who have experienced the severe floods, droughts and storms that are no longer a prediction of the effects of Global Warming, but are now a reality.   

The risks of climate change have been categorized into five “reasons for concern” by the International Panel of Climate Concern (IPCC). These are described as:

- threats to endangered species and unique systems

- damages from frequent and extreme climate events

- a global distribution of effects that fall most heavily on developing countries and the poor within countries

- global aggregate impacts (reflecting the various measurements of total social, economic and ecological impacts)

- large-scale high-impact events

(Source: tradepal.com)

Contributor: Tamar Burton

This Earth Day we unite in support of a healthy planet by inspiring change. As part of the 2012 theme Mobilize the Earth, and the upcoming United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSDA) in Rio de Janeiro, Rio +20  we encourage everyone to proactively engage in ways that will create a quantifiable outcome by organizing events, volunteering and promoting renewable energy initiatives, and finally pledging support to a Billion Acts of Green. Now with over 997 million acts pledged and counting, our actions today will help to develop a comprehensive plan for sustainable development while inspiring the change necessary to get our world leaders to take bold energy action. 

In honor of Earth Day, we at Tradepal, suggest that you evaluate your carbon footprint and the many ways you can help the environment by reducing, recycling and reusing. To the many supporters of collaborative consumption, we encourage you to quantify the carbon savings your actions generate in changing users’ behaviors with services such as bike, car and ride sharing, swapping and trading. 

Senator Gaylord Nelson, the originator of the Earth Day holiday in 1970: 

“The economy is a wholly owned subsidiary of the environment, not the other way around.”

Tradepal users save money and the environment when trading on our platform. They also have access to a dedicated calculator that quantifies their carbon savings derived from all their trading on the platform. It is surprising to discover the exact amount of carbon savings you have accumulated while trading and giving items away. 

Gamification Feature:  The Carbon Savings Calculator

It might seem trivial initially, but watching your carbon savings increase with each trade  is truly fulfilling. According to my Tradepal user profile, I have accumulated 354 kg of carbon savings over the past six months. While not sure what it exactly meant, I simply plugged my Tradepal Carbon Savings amount into the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator. 

The following highlights some significant equivalents of my savings: 

• Carbon sequestered by 9 tree seedlings grown for 10 years 
• CO₂ emissions from 14 propane cylinders used for home BBQs
• CO₂ emissions from 39 gallons of gasoline consumed 

Additional Reading:

Trendsetting Women Leading Peer-to-Peer Marketplaces

Spring is the season for enjoying the outdoors and sharing with friends and family. Yet one of our nation’s past times is now under scrutiny. A growing issue for municipalities are the increasing complaints received from neighbors of yard sales gone to the extreme. Imagine living near neighbors offering appliances and cars on their lawns. This was the focus of a recent msnbc.com story spurring a sharp debate with more than 400 comments to date. In Delano, Calif., the city has declared a ‘yard sale showdown’ following numerous complaints received from residents of citizens operating business from their homes. 

When thinking of a yard sale, what comes to mind is the additional traffic and visitors entering the neighborhoods in search for bargains. For some, this is welcome as their goal is to share with their neighbors while generating funds from items no longer used. The issue at hand is that many of these so-called yard sales are de facto illegally operating storefronts. For yard sales of the extreme form, it seems a few are ruining it for everyone else.  

“While yard sales provide a great way to recommerce, they vary by the location and are as unique as each city’s demographic,” said Mollie Loeffler, President of the Parklawn Civic Association in Alexandria, VA. “In extreme cases, it is unfortunate when municipalities must take action in order to protect citizens from code compliance issues.”

Some of the cities that have enacted restrictions and permit fees are detailed by this recent BusinessWeek article. While the limits vary, cities such as San Angelo, Tx., Phenix City, Ala., and Ontario, Calif., allow for no more than two yard sales per year, yet others including Elkhart, Ind., allow up to 15 a year. As for fees, in South Greensburg, Pa., citizens must pay a $5 permit fee, while in Miami, Fla., it is as high as $28.

In retrospect, yard sales are a lot of work. From applying and paying for permits, to organizing and pricing items, to driving foot traffic and hopefully making sales, physical garage sales involve too much friction. Tradepal’s peer-to-peer marketplace offers a solution for both municipalities, as well as the weekend garage gal who is planning to move or just wants to de-clutter. The difference is, it doesn’t require a permit or any cash outlay at all. Another benefit is each item can be listed with images in less than a minute. Once all the items are listed, all you do is share the link to your ‘Tradepal virtual garage sale’ with your social network. And as simple as that, the offers will start rolling in.

Listing an item is done in less than a minute on Tradepal. For example, type ‘iPhone 3G’ and tradepal will serve you relevant options to choose from to complete your listings in one-click. For books or games, just enter the ISBN number and the system will automatically upload your listing. If you were planning to move, this service is a great option as you can even list giveaways. The options are endless.

Additional Reading:

Online Marketplace Comparison: eBay vs Craigslist vs Tradepal

While relocating can be a chore, offering items no longer needed can be fun and rewarding when you know you helped someone. I recently completed the slow and tedious process of selling and giving away household items. One of the larger items I decided to sell was my car which I listed on eBay, Craigslist and Tradepal.  

The process of creating an online vehicle listing was a first, so I followed my checklist to make sure I had everything covered. I reviewed various websites to view how many cars of the same model were being offered and also searched car pricing guides such as the Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds. I also spoke to my car dealer to review the title transfer process and any hidden fees associated. Lastly, I took a bunch of pictures of my vehicle using my smartphone and prepared to create the three listings. 

The process went as follows:

eBay

Time Elapsed: 40 minutes to list item with images

Cost: Free for my local neighborhood, additional fees would apply for a national listing.

Results: My Kia listing was removed by eBay and, to my surprise, I received an email notification that I had violated their terms of use. See email below. 

After reviewing the information, and feeling quite perplexed that I violated something, I contacted eBay. I explained the problem to one of their representatives which was followed by a short hold then a series of personal questions that were intended to verify my identity. The monotone agent seemed familiar with my issue as she went through the routine of troubleshooting my problem. 

While still confused I confirmed my education level, where I have worked, and what certifications I have. Finally, I was directed to log back into the eBay website to relist my vehicle. Needless to say, I was a bit aggravated having spent over an hour listing, responding to a delisting email, speaking with two representatives and taking a test to ultimately confirm my identity in order to list my own car for sale. I inquired as to what I actually violated by my vehicle listing, and received a vague explanation that it was because I was a new user. A new user? While not feeling very welcome, I proceeded to relist my vehicle as I had so much time invested at this juncture. 

Auto reinstatement email:

Craigslist

Time Elapsed:  Approximately 10 minutes to list an item with one image. 

Cost: Free 

Results: Followed their standard email verification process as shown below. I was approved to go live and received about six inquiries on the vehicle. The details that follow explain the care needed when using this service as is evident in the initial verification email below that follows each listing request.

Unfortunately, one of the inquiries I received three days later was from Root Ninja although it stated Kamari True as the contact name. UnknowingIy I was being lured, and I almost clicked the link provided which could have been disastrous had I not realized it in time.  

Following a search using the sentence in the email, it was evident that I had been sent a malicious email from Root Ninja which was identified as follows: 

http://www.rootninja.com/obvious-craigslist-scammer/

In addition, I felt uneasy about providing my location and my cell phone number to prospective anonymous buyers who emailed me.

Tradepal 

Time Elapsed:  Four minutes to list including four images of the vehicle.

Cost: Free to list and share with no geographical restrictions.

Results: I shared the listing with my Tradepal and Facebook friends, and Twitter followers. Within the first ten minutes, I garnered over 100 views. Within the next 24 hours, the listing had generated over 400 views.

As the head of brand development at tradepal, I tend to think I am biased. But this experience is a reminder of the real pain encountered by the general public while using online marketplaces such as eBay and Craigslist. At tradepal, we are striving to solve these exact problems. Users should be able to list, share and promote their items quickly and for free. Most importantly, they should be able to communicate and trade with peers in confidence. 

Just in case you have been procrastinating on your spring cleaning, ButtonedUp has created a list to assist you and offers advice on hosting a virtual yard sale. While Tradepal provides a great service when de-cluttering, it is also useful when:

• moving
• selling art 
• reducing your fashion collection
• upgrading to the latest electronics
• reducing your collection of videos
• trading baby items, and much more

The best features include the ability to list a variety of items, share them with connections who, by the way, use their ‘real identities’, and this process requires only a minute from loading the image to completing the listing. Yes, only a minute!

As varied as the items offered by each user, are the variety of ways for users to transact. While the traditional buy and sell transaction is one option, users may also offer giveaways. For users seeking a trade, they may barter for items by selecting Make Offer to entertain a trade for items listed within their tradepal profile, or maybe a trade plus cash. It’s up to the two parties to decide and the transaction is done privately via their tradepal dashboards.

To read the list, visit ButtonedUp offers 10 easy spring-cleaning shortcuts

Wishing our pal’s, their families and friends a great weekend as they observe the holiday.

- The Tradepal Team

(Source: tradepal.com)

The JBJ Soul Kitchen redefines community by offering healthy restaurant fare and a unique way to pay it forward. In an effort to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, last October the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation launched its’ community kitchen concept. Focusing on volunteerism with a “pay-what-you-can” option, the unique non-profit community program offers a menu devoid of prices. 

The Red Bank, New Jersey restaurant is inspired by chefs and volunteers who prepare healthy three-course meals while helping out neighbors who are less fortunate. The stigma-free kitchen expands on the sharing economy by offering a dining experience where patrons don’t owe anything, but if they can contribute, the Soul Kitchen will accept cash donations or volunteering in exchange for a meal.

For as little as $10 per meal, the non-profit can cover the cost of a meal, while anything extra will help cover someone else’s meal. Volunteer options include cooking, cleaning, serving others, busing tables and even stocking shelves at the restaurant. Now in its fifth year as a non-profit, in addition to the community kitchen, the foundation partners with local charities and churches to provide support, job skills and housing for those in need.

Kitchen 2 from JBJ Soul Kitchen on Vimeo.

(Source: tradepal.com)